Male Territory

By Mary Suzanne

Samantha sat at the table looking through the mountain of unpaid bills. When her young brother slammed the back door, she slipped the bills into the folder and glanced up.
“Sam, Mark wants me to go to the park with him,” he told her reaching into the cookie jar.
“That’s a good idea since I have something to do today.”
“What is it?”
“I’m going to see Tony Santino about a job. If you get back before I do, stay at Mark’s house.” Samantha felt grateful to her neighbor for keeping an eye on Tommy during the summer vacation from school.
“I will,” he said as he headed out the door again.
When their parents died tragically, she became both parents to Tommy. In recent months, the economy had taken a downward trend and the company she worked for closed.
The future didn’t look too rosy as she picked up the thick folder to put away. She cleared away the dishes before going upstairs. As she reached her bedroom, her gaze drifted to the dresser where a framed picture of her parents sat. The strong featured man and the beautiful woman at his side smiled lovingly out at her from the moment caught in time. She walked over and picked up the picture, cradling it gently in her hand.
“I’m taking care of Tommy,” she whispered softly to their images. Somehow, she felt her parents already knew. She studied their faces a moment longer before replacing the cherished picture on the dresser.
After showering, she looked through her closet and removed a green dress. As she stood in front of the mirror, she fastened the buttons on the cool sundress. Applying powder to her small nose, she skillfully hid the lightly freckled patch that popped out during the hot summer months. She blotted her pink lips and headed down the steps.
While she gathered her car keys and handbag, she thought how lucky she had been meeting Tony through her old job. He was the head of a local hiring hall and his job was to send workers to different contractors requesting someone for a short time. He had told her if she ever needed his help to let him know. The company she had worked for had closed and she now had to ask Tony for his help.
As she started out the door, Samantha heard the phone ringing. She stepped into the hallway and lifted the receiver.
“Sam,” Tony greeted her warmly. “I wanted to make sure I caught you before you left for my office. Something urgent has come up and I’ll have to cancel our meeting. What was it you wanted to discuss with me?”
“Does your offer of a job still hold? “She blurted out before she lost her nerve.
“Of course, it does. The only available job is driving a truck.”
“Oh.” Samantha sighed heavily feeling her hopes beginning to fade. What he offered seemed almost impossible to her. “I’ve never driven a truck before.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Suzanne
• Release date: Oct 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301048915

Mary Suzanne

Mary Suzanne writes a story feeling the hero and heroine’s pain, happiness and joy over their relationship. It she is able to transport a person from their every day existence to another realm in time; then she has succeeded in giving something special to her readers.Currently there are 99 e-books ready for purchase at Smashwords.com and othet distributors.

Book preview

Male Territory

Mary Suzanne

Copyright Mary Suzanne 2012

Published by Mary Suzanne at Smashwords

Chapter One

Samantha sat at the table looking through the mountain of unpaid bills. When her young brother slammed the back door, she slipped the bills into the folder and glanced up.

Sam, Mark wants me to go to the park with him, he told her reaching into the cookie jar.

That’s a good idea since I have something to do today.

What is it?

I’m going to see Tony Santino about a job. If you get back before I do, stay at Mark’s house. Samantha felt grateful to her neighbor for keeping an eye on Tommy during the summer vacation from school.

I will, he said as he headed out the door again.

When their parents died tragically, she became both parents to Tommy. In recent months, the economy had taken a downward trend and the company she worked for closed.

The future didn’t look too rosy as she picked up the thick folder to put away. She cleared away the dishes before going upstairs. As she reached her bedroom, her gaze drifted to the dresser where a framed picture of her parents sat. The strong featured man and the beautiful woman at his side smiled lovingly out at her from the moment caught in time. She walked over and picked up the picture, cradling it gently in her hand.

I'm taking care of Tommy, she whispered softly to their images. Somehow, Samantha felt her parents knew this already. She studied their faces a moment longer, before replacing the cherished picture on the dresser.

After showering, she looked through her closet and removed a green dress. As she stood in front of the mirror, she fastened the cool sundress in place and noticed how it curved her petite frame gently. Applying powder to her small nose, she skillfully hid the lightly freckled patch that continually popped out during the hot, summer months. She blotted her pink lips, and walked down the stairs.

While she gathered her car keys and handbag, she thought how lucky she had been in meeting Tony Santino through her old job. He was the head of a local hiring hall and his job was to send workers out to different contractors that needed someone for a short time. He had told her if she ever needed his help let him know. The company she had worked for used casual drivers sent out by Tony and he had stopped at her office one afternoon. She and Tony struck up a friendly conversation. She found him so charming that she accepted a date with him.

Two months passed since her boss walked into her office and told her the company had to downsize and she would lose her job. Although she tried, she couldn’t find employment that matched the job she had just left. She hated to ask Tony for help, but she didn’t have a choice. Tommy depended on her.

As she started out the front door, Samantha heard the phone ringing. She stepped back into the hallway and lifted the receiver.

Sam, Tony greeted her warmly. I wanted to make sure I caught you before you left for my office. Something urgent has come up and I’ll have to cancel our meeting. What was it you wanted to discuss with me?

Does your offer of a job still hold? she blurted out, before she lost her nerve.

Of course, it does. The only available job is driving a truck.

Oh. Samantha sighed lightly, feeling her hopes beginning to fade. What he offered seemed almost impossible to her. I've never driven a truck before.

I know you can handle it. I want you to go and see Larry Andrews, a friend of mine. He owns a construction company and I’m sure he’ll be more than willing to show you the basics in driving a truck. I’ll call Larry and explain that you’re coming. His company is located at Fifth and Bell.

Do you really think I can do it? Hesitation filled her tone.

I'm sure of it. The trucking industry isn’t male territory any longer. Stop by his place tomorrow, and as soon as you get your upgraded license, call me.

I will, and thanks, she said gratefully, feeling relief flowing through her. I know you're busy, so I'll be in touch.

You'll make it, he said encouragingly.

Thanks again.

When she replaced the receiver, the old nagging doubts crowded in on her. But, she wouldn’t consider failure at this point. It looked as if things were finally falling into place for her and she would not only be able to support her brother, but pay some of the delinquent bills.

Sam. She could hear Tommy calling her name as he ran through the hallway and stopped in the living room where she stood. Didn't you go to see Tony?

I talked to him on the telephone, instead. I'll be a truck driver as soon as I get instructions and can pass the test. She hid her unsettling thoughts of moments ago behind a cheery smile. The main reason she had to succeed stood in front of her with an enthusiastic smile.

Oh, wow, you're going to be a truck driver, he said while hopping in one place. Is it going to be an eighteen wheeler?

Hardly, she laughed in a lighthearted tone. I'm hoping it's a small truck. Samantha placed her hand on his shoulder as they walked toward the kitchen. Since I don’t have to meet Tony, you can help me fix something for lunch.

****

As Tony had said, Larry Andrews was a very patient man, instructing her on the art of handling all of his trucks. Samantha's head felt in a whirl, listening to all his instructions, but she kept up with everything he showed her.

On the fourth day, Larry decided it was time she took her test at the drivers' station. He drove her across town, giving her an encouraging pep talk before she walked into the building. After taking the written test, the driving part came next. Once she finished, she felt the moistness covering her hands. The man doing the testing smiled at her and handed her the upgraded license.

She waved the license in the air for Larry to see as she walked out of the building. On the drive back to pick up her car, a thrill of anticipation filled her thoughts. Now there was no stopping her, she thought silently. The worst of her ordeal was over. The countless hours of practicing and then taking the test paid off. Little did Samantha know that her troubles had just begun.

As she reached her driveway, she saw Tommy coming around the side of the house. She couldn’t help noticing how his brown gaze held a questioning look.

Did you make it?

Yes, she burst out excitedly.

I knew you could do it, Sam.

"You really know how to make a person feel good. I have to scoot into the house and call Tony before he leaves his office. If you're going over to Mark's be back in time for lunch.

I won't be late.

Samantha walked over to the phone and dialed Tony's number. It wasn’t long before his deep voice sounded over the line. Before he had a chance to ask her any questions, she told him about the license in a hurried rush.

"This must be your lucky